Reform UK has taken control of multiple county councils in a dramatic surge that marks its most significant breakthrough into mainstream British politics to date. As of Friday afternoon, Nigel Farage’s party had taken control of Staffordshire, Lincolnshire, Durham, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Kent, and Lancashire, with hundreds of additional seats gained across England.
The political earthquake was compounded by Reform’s narrow victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, where Sarah Pochin defeated Labour by just six votes. Reform’s Andrea Jenkyns also claimed the Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty, winning by a margin of nearly 40,000 votes.
Farage declared the results “the end of two-party politics” and a sign that Reform is now “the party of the working class.” The party has capitalized on disillusionment with both Labour and the Conservatives, particularly in traditional heartlands.
The Tories suffered devastating losses, prompting fresh criticism of leader Kemi Badenoch, while Labour faced internal dissent over policy direction, with Left MPs warning of a growing threat from Reform.
Speaking in County Durham, Farage said: “The people have spoken. Britain is broken, and we are the change.” With growing momentum, Reform now has its sights set on the 2026 Welsh and Scottish parliamentary elections.
